Purpose

This Factsheet provides information on the waiver of co-payments for Veterans' Home Care (VHC) services.

What is a co-payment?

A co-payment is your contribution towards the cost of receiving VHC services. A co-payment is also payable for social assistance services offered through the Coordinated Veterans’ Care (CVC) Program

The amount is minimal, however, co-payments may be waived.

How much are the co-payments?

The following co-payments apply for Veterans’ Home Care services:

Service

Co-payment per hour

Amount payable by the veteran is capped to:

Domestic Assistance

$5 per hour

Maximum $5 per week

Personal Care

$5 per hour

Maximum $10 per week

Safety-related Home and Garden Maintenance

$5 per hour

Maximum $75 in a 12 month period

Respite Care

No co-payment applies

N/A

CVC Social Assistance

$5 per hour

Maximum $5 per week

Am I eligible for a co-payment waiver?

You may be eligible for a co-payment waiver if it is determined that you:

have one or more dependent children;

are receiving the full rate of service pension or the full rate of Centrelink pension or allowance and do not earn an income, including non-pension income and DVA compensation payments (disability pension or war widow/widower pension), of more than $40 a fortnight;

How will the decision to waive your payment be made?

Decisions are made using information provided on the application form or via written request and, if required, information previously provided to DVA in relation to your income and assets.

If you receive a Centrelink income support payment, DVA will need to contact Centrelink for income and asset details. This information is required in considering a request for co-payments to be waived.

If you might be eligible for Centrelink income support payment, but have not applied, you will be asked to complete an application to determine if you are eligible for regular income support payments.

How will I be informed of the outcome of my request for waiver?

All decisions will be put in writing and sent to you including the reason/s for the decision.

If a waiver of the co-payment is approved, DVA will inform the VHC Assessment Agency and the VHC Service Provider/s.

The personal circumstances on which the decision was made will not be disclosed to the VHC Assessment Agency or the VHC Service Provider/s.

Where a co-payment has already been paid for a period after the waiver takes effect, the VHC Service Provider will be required to refund that amount.

What do I do if I am unhappy with DVA's decision not to waive my co-payment?

If you do not agree with the decision, please telephone the DVA Health Approvals and Home Care team on 1800 555 254. Although a decision can be reviewed, the grounds for waivers are not discretionary and are not subject to an appeal process.

I have received a waiver and my financial circumstances change, what should I do?

If your financial circumstances change, you should telephone the DVA Health Approvals and Home Care team on 1800 555 254

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Disclaimer

The information contained in this Factsheet is general in nature and does not take into account individual circumstances. You should not make important decisions, such as those that affect your financial or lifestyle position on the basis of information contained in this Factsheet. Where you are required to lodge a written claim for a benefit, you must take full responsibility for your decisions prior to the written claim being determined. You should seek confirmation in writing of any oral advice you receive from DVA.